9: A Rhyme, a Song, and a Feast
9: A Rhyme, a Feast, and a Song
The eight creatures leaned forward as Armel read off the poem.
"If you are to reach home you will sally forth,
Heading shout and stew from these great gates,
And when you reach the will holloh you would go north,
Until a fortnight lay of late.
When you see the gaping mouths you halt,
To find a tub sturdy and strong.
In this you set out over the lake of salt;
Head shoutstew and ere long;
You will see the point of an sile,
Spread out under the sun.
You step onto the sand, having traveled many a mile,
And now your journey is done."
Eight faces stared at each other in the firelight. Then eight voices all began talking at once.
"What a puzzle! I wonder what it means by a tub?"
"Sile? Shout? Stew? Sounds all mixed up to me!"
"Ooh, that bit about gaping mouths sounds scary!"
"Will holloh? What in the name of seasons is a jolly old will holloh, wot?"
"I've ne'er heard o' a lake o' salt afore."
"Quiet!"
The authoritative voice of Tam rang out. He swung his gaze round the little assembly. "I know we all want t' know what this riddle means, but we all need t' get some sleep. We can work on this tomorrow. Now, everybeast off t' their beds! We'll discuss this in the morning."
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But they never got the chance to discuss it. The next morning Abbot Humble, the old hedgehog who had ruled Redwall since the days before Tam and Doogy arrived, announced that the springtide feast would take place in three days. The whole Abbey was thrown into cheerful chaos. Everywhere creatures could be seen cooking, cleaning, scrubbing, arranging tables, and hanging strings of bunting all about Great Hall and the Abbey grounds.
Lin could often be found in the kitchens helping with the simpler dishes. Breads, pies, soups, cakes; all were tackled willingly by the squirrelmaid. She also spent much of her time sweeping, mopping, and helping with the unruly strings of flag bunting alongside Tam and his crew.
Tam was in command of the group of beasts who were in charge of putting up the decorations. Most of these were squirrels along with some mice, otters, and the odd hedgehog. These creatures went to work stringing the bunting, hanging out banners, and placing garlands of pine branches and flowers throughout the Abbey grounds and Great Hall.
The elders, who were backed by several active, agile beasts, were setting up the games. Quoits, croquet, an archery contest with de-headed arrows, agility and acrobatic contests, and various races were all arranged out on the lawns. Later, during the feast, there would be a singing and dancing competition.
††
The day of the celebrations dawned bright and sunny. Birds sang in the trees of Mossflower, and insects hummed on the flatlands. Lin slept peacefully in her bed in the infirmary.
Whump!
The black squirrelmaid sat up, indignantly blinking sleep from her eyes as she glared at a tubby molebabe. "Grundle, that was totally unnecessary! Did you have to hit me in the face with that pillow?"
Grundle brandished his pillow, grinning from ear to ear. "No, Mizz Lin, et twasn't unerrsersory, but you'm were layern thurr so qoietly thurt oi hard t' get ee to merk soom kernd o' noise, boi ecky oi did, hurr hurr hurr!"
Lin slowly reached for her pillow. "Oh, you thought I was too quiet, eh? Well, in that case . . ." With lightning speed she swung the pillow, catching Grundle in his plump little stomach. He clouted her playfully back. This was the signal to the half-dozen or so other dibbuns, who had followed Grundle into the infirmary, to grab their own pillows and join in. screams and yells of delight filled the room. It was a free-for-all, everybeast attacking everybeast. Pillows were everywhere, their bearers squealing and laughing in delight. The pillow fight was in full swing when a mousebabe climbed up onto a table for a better shot at his opponents.
Rrrrrrrip!
The pillow caught on the table's corner and was torn down the middle; in a trice the air was full of downy feathers. In his shock the mousebabe fell backward into a basin of water on the table behind him. Leaping out, spitting water and gasping from surprise, he fell off the table. Feathers stuck to the wet dibbun as he rolled about on the floor, trying to get his balance. Shrieks of laughter greeted the sight as the dibbun-turned-bird scrambled up and renewed his attack with a fresh pillow.
"What is all this, pray tell?"
A hushed silence broken by one or two nervous giggles fell. Lin turned to face Armel. The squirrelmum was attempting to look stern, but couldn't hide the merriment in her eyes. "Marm, that little villain Grundle hit me in the face with a pillow while I was still asleep. I simply defended myself, and this mob of dibbuns attacked me." By now the squirrelmaid could barely contain her merriment; she coughed in an attempt to hold back her laughter.
Armel turned to face the other dibbuns. Catching sight of the feather-coated mousebabe, she exclaimed, "Why, Vinnester, what happened to you?"
Vinnester spoke up in his own defense. "Me pillow rip, an' I tripped inna water. Then I fall inna feathers an' they like me."
Lin snorted with merriment. Armel kept her face strait, although her eyes twinkled. "Well, you get down to the pond and clean yourself up; the rest of you have to clean all of these feathers before you get any breakfast!"
Still giggling, Lin and the dibbuns hurried to sweep up the downy mess. With so many willing paws, the work went quickly. Armel, after watching the humorous scene for several minutes with twinkling eyes, pitched in. Merry banter went back and forth among the dibbuns, and the whole room resounded with the din of happy chatter. Lin and Armel listened to the little ones, laughing at the choices of topics, such as using a pillow as a hiding place for stolen scones.
When the task was finally finished, the whole group trooped downstairs to breakfast in Cavern Hole. Most of the Redwallers were already up and eating. The sound of many happy voices drifted through the halls of Redwall.
After the hard work of cleaning the infirmary, Lin was hungry. She selected a few of Friar Glisum's pancakes, some delicious rye bread toast with strawberry jam, and a generous portion of fruit, along with a beaker of cherry and apple cider. Then she seated herself near the MacBurls.
Tam, Armel, Melanda, and Doogy were chatting with Foremole Bruffy, who was the leader of the mole crew. Lin joined in the conversation. Friendly banter went back and forth between the friends as they munched on the fare provided by Friar Glisum and his kitchen staff.
As the Redwallers finished their food they didn't leave to start on the festivities as Lin had expected; they remained seated, looking now and then at the stairs that led into great hall. Lin wondered what this was all about. She was about to lean over and ask Melanda when Redwall's twin bells, the Matthias and the Methuselah, began to ring. An expectant hush fell over the assembled creatures as they turned as one to face the entryway to Great Hall.
Abbot Humble, with several of the prominent abbey elders, entered Cavern Hole. The old hedgehog wore a dusty-green habit that was girded with a creamy cord. He was smiling as he paused just inside the room.
The dibbuns were gathered in a knot nearby. They shouted in unison, "Th' feast, th' feast! We wanna feast!"
Abbot Humble spoke his line.
"The feast is waiting and ready, my friends; but first, outside the Hall,
There is fun waiting out on the lawn, ready for one and all."
The Dibbuns chorused, "Izza fun games for all ta play?"
Humble stood to one side of the door, bowing and gesturing out toward Great Hall.
"Up these stairs and through the door,
Is all the games everybeast could wish for.
Now go and enjoy, run and play,
For the feast begins at sundown this day."
Squeals and shrieks of delight sounded from the dibbuns as they dashed headlong up the stairs and out onto the lawn. The older creatures waited until the youngsters were well on their way before they followed, talking and laughing excitedly.
Lin had never had such a time. Different areas of the lawn were set aside for different activities. A group of young beasts and a few of the older creatures tried their paw at archery. An otter in his late teen seasons carried away the well-crafted yew bow and birch bark quiver of smooth oaken arrows that was the prize.
Many of the abbeydwellers were attracted to the area set aside for quoits. Several rounds were played, with a tie between two creatures being finally declared. The two winners were each presented with a belt of fine linen decorated with embroidery. The victors were none other then Friar Glisum and Wild Doogy Plumm.
Lin joined in several of the competitions, including blind man's bluff, a sack race, and a footrace. However, her best activities involved use of the whole body. She won several competitions, namely: climbing, an event involving acrobatics and athletics, and a treetop race specifically for squirrels. When questioned about her athletic ability she simply said, "I've grown up climbing trees and swimming in the surf and tides. It just comes naturally to me."
As the sun sank low to the horizon, the Redwallers began trooping inside. Lin fell in alongside the MacBurls as they headed toward Great Hall. Armel smiled at the squirrelmaid. "I see you won a few prizes there. Is your leg holding up well?"
She was referring to Lin's now-healed leg. Although the bone had set firmly, it was slightly crooked, giving Lin a trivial but somewhat noticeable limp. Armel was wondering if Lin was feeling any pain from her now-healed injury.
Lin smiled. "I haven't felt a twinge in it for a fortnight. It's holding up well, thanks to you and Sister Mimsie."
Tam made an elegant leg. "I trust that we'll be seeing ye in the singing contest tonight?"
Lin blinked. "Oh, I'm sure you don't want to hear one of my songs. Singing isn't really part of Tarentian culture, so I've rarely heard any."
Tam patted her shoulder. "Ye don't have to try, but we'd all like to hear ye."
There was no chance to say more, for they had reached Great Hall. Strings of bunting were hung between the columns, garlands of flowers decorated the walls, banners hung from the rafters, pine boughs lined the windows, and two tall lamps stood on either side of Martin the Warrior's tapestry. These were wound about with garlands of bluebells and tulips; roses would have been used, but these were not yet in bloom.
Three tables had been pushed together to form the buffet. Mountains of fruit, bowls of salad, baskets of rolls and scones, cauldrons of soups and stews, breads of all kinds, flans, pastries, cheeses, nuts, and more covered the three tables. Nearby, another table was set aside for the cakes, pies, tarts, candied chestnuts, and other desserts. In the corner, Burlop the cellerhog had set up his kegs of October Alle, strawberry fizz, damson wine, and other various drinks beloved by the Redwallers. The sight was enough to make anybeast's mouth water. Gasps and groans of delight greeted the sight of the delicious spread. Creatures lined up to fill their plates with the bountiful repast.
Before they set to, however, Abbot Humble said a blessing.
"We are thankful for this meal, grown from the soil,
And for all of these Redwallers, true and loyal.
We are thankful for this tranquil peace,
Which is created and cultivated to a beast.
We toast our drinks to our young ones true,
For them to grow strait and solid as yew.
Now, as we feast, in our repast let us pause,
And remember the creatures who have laid down their lives for our cause."
Kersey sniffed, recalling her twin brother Dauncey, her son's namesake, who had been killed in battle. Ferdimond, her husband, patted her shoulder. Many of the older Redwallers bowed their heads, remembering others who had died in those same wars twenty seasons before.
Then a dibbun whooped, "Let's get ee gloomy frogs outside an' eat alla their food!" Others began to laugh, and the solemn mood was reburied under seasons of good memories of the deceased.
The area between the two tall, flower-draped lamps on either side of Martin's tapestry had been left clear of tables. Now it became apparent to Lin that this open area was to be used as a stage for the competing singers. These were called up one by one; sometimes they were solo, sometimes a group. Dibbuns, middle-aged beasts, and elders were all allowed to stand up and sing their little ditty. One group of dibbuns sang a particularly lively jig, singing and dancing in time with each other.
"I woke this morning an' what did I see,
But a little old bee looking at me.
He was wearing a waistcoat and looked so fine,
In two little gloves that could have been mine.
He swept off his hat and bowed so low,
An' said 'I have some news that you might like to know.
For 'tis spring spring spring, spring spring spring,
An' the sun shines and dances on everything.
Two little birds joined him an' said,
It was last autumn that we were wed.
It is in the spring that we lay our eggs,
Flap our wings an' stretch our legs.'
Then they all danced an' cried with glee,
'Come come come an' dance with me!'
As 'tis spring spring spring, spring spring spring,
An' the birds and the bees do dance and sing.
Then I got dressed an' hurried downstairs,
For I wanted to enjoy the day so fair.
As I munched my meal I looked out the pane
At the grass and clouds all clear of rain.
After breakfast I raced outside,
For this is a day to feel alive,
'Cause 'tis spring spring spring, spring spring spring,
An' it's time to enjoy what the seasons bring."
Applause and laughter greeted the Dibbuns as they took their bow. Tam chuckled. "Look at that rascal Kitt; he's up there with the rest o' them."
Armel shook her head, a smile crossing her face. "There's Vinnester, the little villain! Look, he still has a feather stuck in his headfur, the rogue!"
"What's Grundle – Oh!" Melanda exclaimed, for at that moment, Lin had stepped up to the open area. Her simple sandy-brown dress was set off by the light of the many lamps and candles, with a twinkle coming now and then from the bracelet on her wrist. Her face was serene and her eyes were sparkling. Her square jaw was set but relaxed, as if she knew that many eyes were watching her. Setting her footpaws firmly, she bowed her head as if thinking.
Then she began to sing. Her strong feminine baritone carried well over the clink of knife upon dish and the low murmur of voices. One by one, the Redwallers paused in their conversation; a spoon still containing soup was lowered back into the bowl. A knife was laid down in the very act of cutting a slice of pie. Beakers of drink were set down untouched as their owners listened entranced to the squirrelmaid's powerful voice.
"A vermin horde on the march,
At their head an evil fox.
Behind them are creatures in chains,
Whose shackles are firmly locked.
Ride on the wave of despair,
No hope is yet in view.
Only the fittest can survive
This horrible suffering through.
The whip cracks above captives' heads
Forcing them to bend the knee.
The slaves cringe in fear and pain
As their captors laugh in evil glee.
The slaves are not forgotten
As they suffer in their chains.
A warrior great sets out in search
To free those under the cane.
Many have tried and failed
To conquer the vermin horde.
The warrior faces a daunting task
For blood will soon be poured.
The armies clash in battle,
The warrior leading his force.
A red mist fills his eyes
As he fights the vermin coarse.
A cloud covers the land
As the battle rages vast.
Only stout hearts will turn the tide
And rescue the slaves at last.
Evil prowls the Earth,
Destroying all in its way.
The strong beasts defend the weak;
Only these will keep evil at bay."
There was a pause; then the Redwallers erupted into thunderous applause. Lin stepped off the makeshift stage and disappeared into the crowd. Murmurs ran through the crowd. "Where'd she learn that song? I've never heard it before." "What a voice! At full power, I bet she could be heard on the other side of the Abbey!" "Where's she gone? I don't see her."
Several other singers stepped up after the black squirrelmaid. A young mousemaid sang an old lullaby, and a group of moles preformed a tunneling ditty. A few of the older Abbey residents, along with a gang of dibbuns, defied their long seasons and danced a reel at record speed.
As the feasting slowed, a halt was called to the singing. The elders, who had been acting as judges, stepped out into Cavern Hole. They debated for some minutes while the other Redwallers waited with anticipation.
Finally, Abbot Humble walked onto the improvised stage. The old hedgehog's voice sounded through the columns of Great Hall. "All of our singers tonight were excellent; we also enjoyed the dancing. It was hard to choose a single ditty. However, the winning song was chosen not for its merry tune or for its theme; it definitely didn't go with the usual theme of spring and feasting. It was chosen for its spirit, the way it almost challenges a beast to stand up for what we believe; for what is right. Lindenton Tarenta, will you please step forward?"
The applause was deafening. This was suddenly curbed when Humble repeated, "Lin, will you step up here, please?"
The voice of Vinnester the mousebabe piped up. "Fada Habbit, me see Lin walkin' up t' de' infirmary."
Humble looked startled. "Why would she do that, I wonder? Well, after all that she's done today, I suppose she's exhausted." He raised his voice, addressing the Redwallers. "We'll give Lin her prize tomorrow; now, finish with your feasting. It has been a good night for all!"
Tam frowned. He motioned to Armel, who stood up to join him. The warrior squirrel murmured, "Why didn't Lin tell us that she was going t' bed? It's not like her t' sneak off like that."
Armel glanced about. "Perhaps she went to go fetch something, and only just came back? Perhaps she's on her way downstairs now."
The two hurried down the usual route to the infirmary. They searched the infirmary from top to bottom; when they didn't find her there, they searched the rest of the Abbey. Cavern Hole did not escape inspection, either. They finally met on the stairs leading from Great Hall to Cavern Hole. The simple conclusion loomed balefully in their minds.
Lin had vanished!
Well, what do you think? Please R&R! Sorry about the long wait for this chapter; I was on vacation.
Random comment: one thing that was bugging me was that I didn't think I was putting enough emphasis on Tam and Doogy's accents. I finally figured a way out of this (hee hee) by telling myself that, after spending five years at Redwall, they would have grown used to the method of speaking there. So, by my reasoning, they would have lost a little of their northern accent. just thought I'd put that in in case any of you are wondering about it, too.